Charles Mcdonald Limited

Charles McDonald (Dyce, died 1892) worked for some time in the American granite trade before returning and found his own business in Gerrard Street, before moving to Nelson Street and finally to the Froghall Granite Works in Jute Street. The yard employed around 150 men and Mcdonald was considered a benevolent employer, at one time clashing with the Aberdeen Granite Association because he had reduced the weekly hours (but not the pay) of his work force.

After Mcdonald’s death, the company was run by his trustees until the formation of a limited company around 1903. In 1921, the firm amalgamated with that of Rust and Alexander at Holland Street, retaining the McDonald name but being managed subsequently by James R. Rust (later Lord Provost) and James Rust. The memorial trade with Australia and the colonies declined during the 1930s and instead the firm focused on building work. Up until about 1945 this work was in solid granite, latterly it was the production of slabbing for facing buildings. By the late 1970s, only 25 men were employed at Jute Street due partly to mechanisation and partly to declining fortunes in the granite industry.